Structure

Bodymedium
Tanninlow
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Finishlong
Oaknone or neutral

Drinking window

Best 0 to 5 years from disgorgement.
disgorgement0 yrs5 yrs8 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating in the header is our own.

In the glass

Medium-bodiedLow tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: raspberry, redcurrant, wild strawberry, white flowers

Palate: strawberry, red apple, creamy mousse, delicate citrus

100 percent Pinot Noir Blanc de Noirs Cava with raspberry, redcurrant and wild-strawberry aromatics over a creamy, delicate body and long finish; relaunched in 2010 as the first Cava made entirely from Pinot Noir.

What it pairs with

  • Pa amb tomaquet with anchovy Find pa amb tomaquet with anchovy on TableJourney →
    The wine's Pinot Noir red-fruit lift mirrors the salt-cured anchovy's umami while the creamy mousse softens the tomato acidity on toast.
  • Grilled prawns Find grilled prawns on TableJourney →
    Pinot Noir delicacy from a sparkling wine adds aromatic complexity to charcoal-grilled shellfish without overpowering the seafood.
  • Roast duck breast
    The strawberry and red-apple register of Pinot Noir Blanc de Noirs pairs naturally with poultry; bright acidity cuts the duck fat.
  • Almond and orange tart
    Mediterranean almond cake echoes the wine's faint nuttiness and the orange-zest finish; acidity balances the sweet pastry.

History

Named for Queen Maria Cristina of Habsburg-Lorraine (regent of Spain 1885-1902), who visited Codorniu in 1898 during the construction of the Cathedral of Cava complex. Relaunched in 2010 as the first Cava produced exclusively from Pinot Noir, a Blanc de Noirs that anticipated Spanish sparkling wine's varietal-transparency turn.

  1. 1898: Queen Maria Cristina visits the Codorniu cellars during construction of the modernist Cathedral of Cava
  2. 2010: Reina Maria Cristina relaunched as a 100 percent Pinot Noir Blanc de Noirs

Facts

Producer
Codorniu · visiting guide
Grapes
Pinot Noir (100%)
Classification
DO Cava Reserva
Oak
Stainless steel; 18 to 24 months on lees in bottle
ABV
12.0%
Price
EUR 15 to 22 at retail
Drinking window
0-5 from disgorgement
First vintage
2010
Vegan
Yes (no animal-derived fining)

Frequently asked about Reina Maria Cristina Blanc de Noirs

What does Reina Maria Cristina taste like?

Raspberry, redcurrant, wild strawberry and white flowers on the nose; strawberry, red apple, creamy mousse and delicate citrus on the palate. Medium-bodied with high acidity and a long, delicate finish.

When should I drink Reina Maria Cristina?

Drink within 0 to 5 years of disgorgement. The Pinot Noir base gives it slightly more cellar tolerance than typical Cava but the wine is at its expressive best within three years.

What grapes are in Reina Maria Cristina?

100 percent Pinot Noir, vinified as a Blanc de Noirs. The 2010 relaunch made it the first Cava produced exclusively from the red Pinot Noir grape.

What food pairs with Reina Maria Cristina?

Pa amb tomaquet with anchovy and grilled prawns are textbook Catalan matches. Roast duck and almond-orange desserts also work because Pinot Noir Blanc de Noirs bridges seafood and poultry.

Tags

drink young dry high acid medium body mood elegant mood festive mood fruity occasion aperitivo occasion celebration occasion dinner party old world pairs with aperitif pairs with charcuterie pairs with poultry pairs with shellfish pinot noir price trade up sparkling traditional vegan

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